The United States, Britain, and France’s discussions on how to achieve victory over the enemy reveal how widespread was the notion that the war would have to be carried into 1919 in order to ensure a military victory over the German army. With the British, political pressure to maintain a sizable army combined with the over-estimation of the abilities of the enemy meant that many considered victory only possible in 1919. The Americans were determined to expand their army substantially to play a leading role in the 1919 campaign; however, they had to negotiate what constituted a realistic contribution. Behind these deliberations stood the French who were promoting the idea of a decisive 1919 campaign and pressuring their co-belligerents to make the greatest possible commitment to ensure a victorious outcome.

美国，英国和法国关于如何取得对敌人胜利的讨论表明，为了确保对德国军队的军事胜利，战争必须持续到1919年的观念才广泛传播。对于英国人来说，维持一支庞大军队的政治压力加上对敌人能力的高估，意味着许多人认为只有在1919年才有可能取得胜利。美国人决心扩大军队，以在1919年发挥领导作用运动; 但是，他们必须谈判什么才是现实的贡献。在这些讨论的背后是法国人，他们提倡1919年决定性战役的构想，并敦促其各盟国作出最大的承诺，以确保取得胜利的结果。